asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware whether the suppliers of diesel locomotives to CIE mentioned in Question No. 43 of 10th December, 1968, have places of business in this country; and, if so, why they have not filed the appropriate particulars with the registrar of companies under section 352 of the Companies Act, 1963.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Diesel Locomotive Suppliers.
53.
I have no reason to suppose that the companies in question have established a place of business in this country.
Is the Minister not aware that the companies in question were given very substantial contracts by CIE and that in the normal course contracts of that sort include a maintenance provision and that therefore they would be here carrying on business in pursuance of that maintenance provision?
I would suggest that if there is anything in what the Deputy says the question might have been directed to the Minister for Transport and Power. Is the Deputy questioning the kind of contract entered into by CIE?
No, I am saying that CIE are not so foolish as not to have a maintenance provision and that if there is a maintenance provision they should be——
I have no knowledge of the terms of the contract but, as I have said, I have no reason to believe that these companies have established businesses here.
Is the Minister saying that there is not a maintenance provision?
The Minister is not saying that.
He is implying it.
The Minister is saying that he is not aware of the terms of the contract.
And he has his hand to his heart when he is saying that.